The unique story of Ned Kelly and his gang’s bushranging exploits in the south-western town of Jerilderie, New South Wales, can now be shared around the world with a series of new virtual tours of the town’s historic sites.

The theme of the project is ‘Hero or Outlaw?”, playing on the polarising effect of the gang and their iconic place in Australian history.

Anyone from throughout the world can relive the three days of pandemonium when the Kelly Gang rode into town in 1879.

Their pursuits included a bank hold-up, hostages, and a demand for publication of the famous 8000-word Jerilderie letter, claiming police persecution.

Murrumbidgee Council Mayor Ruth McRae said it’s certainly an eventful time in the town’s history and these new 360 degree online tours allow anyone across the globe to step back into the late 1800s and virtually walk in the gang’s shoes.

Cr McRae said with six of the buildings visited by the gang still standing, it provides an incredible opportunity to explore the town’s turbulent history and learn more about the eventful few days when the gang wreaked havoc in the town.

“The videos really do showcase how well preserved the sites are and our good fortune of having more authentic surviving sites than anywhere along the Ned Kelly Touring Route.

“The town is literally steeped in history as it was the only town in New South Wales visited by the Kelly Gang. Local historian Laurie Henery, who assisted with the project, said it was an absolute honour to be involved. After researching it for over 50 years, Mr Henery has an in-depth knowledge of the gang and their association with Jerilderie.

“The Kelly Gang’s exploits are known world-wide and projects such as this are vital in drawing visitors to our area and also ensuring knowledge of our past is kept alive”, he said.

Also part of the new online 360 degree tours is the Bolt Exhibition, featuring bushranging and convict memorabilia. Visitors to the town can explore the exhibition in person at Jerilderie Library during library opening hours.

The 360 degree tours, as well as an informative new video, can be found on Council’s website.

Also available are all the details for the 16 sites along Jerilderie’s Ned Kelly Raid Trail and the Ned Kelly Touring Route, which explores sites touched by the Kelly saga between Melbourne and Jerilderie.

The Ned Kelly Heritage Project was funded by the NSW Government through Heritage NSW. 

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 30 March 2023.